Cup



April 1932- E. s. WHITCOMB 1,852,830

7 CUP Filed May 29, 1930 (Xi 502 7763; v

Patented Apr. 5, 1932 .rsaaaaa PATENT OFFICE ELWOOD S. WHITCOMB, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS Application filed May 29, 1930. Serial No. 457,019.

My present invention relates to cups, and more particularly to the fluted type ofcups which have a wide range of use.

Cups of the fluted type are utilized for many different purposes, such as for baking cups, drinking cups, ice-cream cups, bon bon cups, display cups and the like. A. disadvantage with the eXisting type of fluted cups, however, is their inherent delicacy and flexibility, which in many instances renders them undesirable for the uses desired.

For instance, when utilized as drinking cups, cups for holding ice-cream or sundaes, particularly when not used as liners, nut cups, and the like, the flexibility of these cupsrenders their use unsatisfactory.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, is to combine, with said cups, means to strengthen, partially enclose, and reenforce said fluted type of cups, regardless of the shape or size of said cups.

Another disadvantage with the fluted type of cup is the fact that it is substantially impossible to utilize saidcups as the basis for any external ornamentation, artistic decorations, or advertising media. In many instances an individual manufacturer, store owner, or vendor, wishes to utilize these fluted cups as containers for his or its products, but is stopped from doing so because of the fact that up to the present it has not been possible to distinctly decorate or characterize the cups in such a manner as to indicate the source of the products contained therein.

Another important object of the invention, therefore,.resides in so combining the reenforcing and strengthening means with the cup, that said reenforcing means will constitute a relatively smooth foundation capable of carrying any artistically arranged insignia, advertising devices, colors, or the like, and said reenforcing means may also be itself of any desired color, design, or shape, or in imitation of national colors, similar to the United States colors, French colors, British colors,

or the shields or other representations of different nationalities for special occasions.

Or the ornamentation on said reenforcing means may be adapted for particular occasions, such as St. Valentines Day, St. Patricks Day, or the like.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the reenforcing means in the general formation of a band, with cooperating holding or securing means on said band,

so that the same can be instantly encircled around the cup and secured in position. Thus a dealer in nuts, for example, may have on hand a large supply of fluted cups suitable for holding his products. Then, as the various occasions approach, at which time he-wishes to differentiate the external appcarance or design of the cups, the dealer may alter just the number of reenforcing ornamented bands desired, applying these to the cups which he may keep on hand as a constant supply.

Furthermore, should a supply of cups be made up for a particular occasion, such as St. Valentines Day, and the entire supply of cups thus ornamented not be used,'the reenforcing and ornamental bands may be readily removed and other bands replaced or substituted therefor.

Furthermore, the reenforcing removable bands, being smooth, will form a base or foundation for the application of stickers of any type or style, such as wafers of various colors, seals of various sizes, shapes and colors, to carry particularly desired insignia or devices.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that I have devised a novel combination of fluted cup and reenforcing band therefor, which will be capable of a wide range of uses, and which will enable dealers or vendors to dress up their goods or products in a'manner not heretofore possible.

The above and other features and objects in this art, as

Fig.3 is a perspective view of said reenforcing band applied to a conventional fluted cup; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a combined fluted cup and band of a different size and ty )e.

lR-eferring now to the drawings, for a particular description of the invention, 1 designates a small fluted cup of conventional size, contour and volume, which cup is capable of a wide range or variety of uses.

2 designates an encircling band, preferably of relatively stifl' paper, cardboard, or the like, capable of being rolled into the shape illustrated in Fig. 2. Adjacent to one end of this band 2 is provided a slot 3, the opposite end of said band being formed with or as a tongue 4. Thus when the band is rolled, to the shape illustrated in Fig. 2, the tongue 4 may be inserted through the slot 3, and said slot 3 being of a length substantially equivalent to that portion of the tongue 4 where said tongue joins the band, the upper end of said tongue will project above the top of the slot 3, preventing inadvertent unrolling of the band 2.

The band 2 is thereupon slid upwardly on to the cup 1 from the bottom thereof, the periphery of the top of the band 2 being less than the normal periphery of the top of the cup 1, thus preventing slippage or passing of the cup 1 downwardly through the band 2.

The band 2 may be ornamented in any desired manner, either by having suitable insignia or designs printed or stamped thereon, as at 5, or these designs may consist of seals or wafers adhered to the band 2 in any desired manner.

It will thus be appreciated that a dealer may order any desired number of bands 2 made up and ornamented to the requirements of the particular occasion, and that these bands may be rolled and united, and a cup 1 then inserted in each band 2 until the desired number of combined cups and bands are prepared.

The wide field of application and utility of these combined cups and bands will be apparent to and understood by all those skilled well as the wide range and variety of ornamental features and results capable of being obtained therewith.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a fluted cup 6, of the type usually produced for beverages of various kinds and types. A band 7, constructed the same as the band 2, except for height. is slid over the cup 6 from the bottom thereof, this band 7 carrying any suitable insignia or indicia, such as the stamp or design 8. This design 8, however, may .as readily be in the form of an adhesively applied label, if desired.

It will be appreciated that other sizes, shapes, and contours of fluted cups and cooperating reenforcing and ornamenting MvlhdHAAlMM-u imam,

bands may be formed or utilized, and that While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of the component and cooperating parts within reasonably wide limits, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My invent-ion is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. The combination with a fluted cup, of a reenforcing band therearound, the periphery of the upper edge of said band being less than the normal periphery of the upper edge of said cup.

2. The combination with a fluted cup, of a removable reenforcing band therearound, the periphery of the upper edge of said band be ing less than the normal periphery of the upper edge of said cup.

3. The combination with a frustro-conical fluted cup, of a removable reenforcing band of .smooth material capable of carrying desired designs, devices, or ornamentation, said band comprising a strip of normally flat material, adapted to be rolled into frustro-conical shape, said band having cooperating uniting means at each end thereof, the periphery of the upper edge of said band being less than the normal periphery of the upper edge of said cup, whereby said band will constitute areenforcing, strengthening, and lifting or carrying element.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ELVVOOD S. WHITCOMB.

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